As a mental health advocate and someone who has personally experienced the rollercoaster of emotional turmoil depicted in these films, I find myself drawn to narratives that delve into the complexities of human emotions, particularly those revolving around mental illness.
“Girl, Interrupted” is a poignant depiction based on actual events, taking place in 1967. The story revolves around Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder), a budding writer who ends up involuntarily admitted to a mental institution after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Inside this hospital, she discovers her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and forms friendships with her fellow patients. Her life becomes a struggle between Lisa (Angelina Jolie), a charismatic inmate labeled as sociopathic, who advocates for Susanna’s defiance against treatment and the institution’s rules, and Dr. Sonia Wick (Vanessa Redgrave), the head psychologist of the faculty, who wishes to see Susanna rejoin society.
It’s a well-lauded dramatic outing, and it isn’t alone in examining the interior lives of women coping with suicidal ideation, or those forced into institutions against their will who battle to be seen as human. The movies listed below are either historical pictures set sometime in past decades featuring female protagonists coming of age, stories about women coping with mental illness, or stories set in mental institutions. All of them are good — in entirely different ways — from “Girl, Interrupted.”
The Bell Jar
The 1979 adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel presents some significant issues, and certain scenes feel outdated today. However, the film maintains a compelling allure despite criticisms for altering the book’s sequence of events. Remarkably, its blend of the 1950s and 1970s era is intriguing and engaging.
The movie portrays Marilyn Hassett as character Esther Greenwood, who undergoes a stressful and unsatisfying internship at a women’s magazine in New York City. Upon her return to her home in New England, she suffers a psychological breakdown that leads to an attempted suicide. Subsequently confined to an upscale mental institution, Esther embarks on a journey to rediscover herself.
In changing the suicide pact between Esther and her mother to Joan (the character portrayed by Donna Mitchell in the film), there were enough discrepancies that it led Dr. Jane V. Anderson, who served as inspiration for Joan in the movie, to file a lawsuit against director Larry Peerce, screenwriter Marjorie Kellogg, Avco Embassy Pictures, CBS Inc., Time-Life Films, HBO (for airing the film after its theater release), Vestron Inc., and Ted Hughes, the executor of Sylvia Plath’s estate. The lawsuit eventually awarded Anderson over $100,000 in damages.
Despite its imperfections, there’s something strangely captivating about it – perhaps due to its dramatic portrayal of emotions that echo Sylvia Plath’s poetry, despair, and life experiences. In a peculiar way, yes, it resonates with me.
Foxfire
If you’re seeking another drama starring Angelina Jolie that tackles social norms, consider watching “Foxfire”. This film is based on Joyce Carol Oates’ novel and portrays a high school girl gang in the 1950s. The five misfits who form this group are united by Margaret “Legs” Sadovsky (Jolie), a rebellious runaway straddling adolescence and adulthood. When they unite to take revenge against their tormentor, Mr. Buttinger (John Diehl), the other four Foxfires are expelled from school. As they evade adult supervision to avoid the consequences of their expulsion, these girls forge a lasting bond. However, they must eventually decide whether to keep moving as “Legs” desires or return to their normal lives.
Foxfire” delivers an impressive debut for Jolie, offering a genuine portrayal of a historical setting, and ultimately earning recognition as a forgotten gem within the genre of films exploring adolescent resistance against authority. It tackles challenging themes such as addiction, trauma, and violence, often avoided by typical teenage movies, thereby establishing a strong connection with “Girl, Interrupted.
Riding in Cars with Boys
A less recognized, yet authentic tale of maturation, “Riding in Cars with Boys” spans from the 1950s to the 1980s and revolves around a young woman whose ambition to be a writer is disrupted by teen pregnancy, motherhood, and financial hardship. The narrative is inspired by real-life events experienced by author Beverly Donofrio.
15-year-old Bev (played by Drew Barrymore) harbors a desire to become a poet, but her unexpected encounter with Ray Hasek (Steve Zahn) turns her world upside down. When Bev discovers she’s pregnant after their one-night stand, they are thrust into a hasty marriage. This unexpected turn of events forces Bev to abandon her education and postpone her college aspirations to focus on raising her son. A series of challenges confront the young family until Ray’s struggle with drug addiction leaves Bev as a single mother. Determined, she perseveres in chasing her dream while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood, all while leaning on her best friend Fay (Brittany Murphy from “Girl, Interrupted”). Despite their strained relationship, Bev and her son must navigate their complex bond together.
As a passionate fan, I must say that Penny Marshall’s last narrative film, “Riding in Cars with Boys,” was more than just what met the eye. It was intricate, layered, and far from the surface simplicity one might initially assume. The storyline was rich with complex, anti-heroine characters, and Brittany Murphy delivered yet another exceptional performance. This movie, surprisingly, stood out as a triumphant winner for me.
Mermaids
Are you yearning for another heartfelt coming-of-age story featuring Winona Ryder, set in the 1960s? “Mermaids” delicately balances between everyday comedy and poignant drama, narrating the tale of a young girl seeking her own path in life while her mother grapples with finding stability.
Throughout her life, Cher’s character Rachel Flax has consistently made poor romantic choices that have affected her daughters negatively. In defiance, Rachel’s eldest child, Charlotte (played by Ryder), embraces Catholicism despite the family being Jewish. Younger daughter Kate (portrayed by Christina Ricci) aspires to become a champion swimmer. However, things take an unexpected turn when they relocate to Eastport, Massachusetts. In this new setting, Rachel encounters a potential long-term love interest in Lou (played by Bob Hoskins), who owns a shoe store; Charlotte is tormented by the unwanted advances of an older man named Joe (Michael Schoeffling); and Kate’s passion for swimming places her in peril.
An emotional tale centered around the exploration of both adopted and blood-tied families, as well as personal growth and authenticity, makes “Mermaids” a clear favorite.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Upon its release, many viewers referred to “Girl, Interrupted” as a female counterpart of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” although this comparison is debatable. Regardless, it is an engaging watch that has significantly influenced the genre of asylum films. Since “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” established a lasting impact on this genre, it’s understandable why some might draw parallels between these two films, even though they feature primarily male and female casts respectively.
In “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” there is a considerable number of characters involved. The story unfolds in an asylum located in Oregon during the 1960s, where we find more than nine patients living under strict control. Among them comes Randle “Mac” McMurphy (played by Jack Nicholson), a trickster who seeks to transform his forced stay into a shortcut for freedom, as he serves time for statutory rape. He promptly stirs things up, organizing outings, poker games, and boosting everyone’s spirits with newfound self-assurance. However, Mac’s efforts to shake things up clash head-on with the stern and manipulative Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), who maintains a tight grip over the patients and bends them to her will. The tension between Mac and Ratched escalates into chaotic rebellions, violent confrontations, and tragic outcomes.
In honor of liberty, there’s no comparison to the charm of “Cuckoo,” nor to the lasting impression it makes.
Prozac Nation
The novel “Prozac Nation” carries a striking similarity to “The Bell Jar.” Remarkably, it is based on true events where a student majoring in music journalism at Harvard (portrayed by Christina Ricci) experiences a deep melancholy due to her father’s absence from her life. This vividly illustrates that societal issues surrounding mental health have persisted through the decades, as evident by the mid-1980s timeframe of the story.
Lizzie Wurtzel struggles significantly with adjusting to Harvard. To deal with her hardships, she turns to substances like drugs, alcohol, and sexual encounters. Despite her impressive academic performance, she feels disconnected and unable to fit in. Eventually, she seeks therapy and medication, with Dr. Sterling (played by Anne Heche) being the one who helps her understand and heal from past wounds that have kept her stuck emotionally.
As a gamer, I found myself immersed in this chilly cinematic adventure, visually intricate yet fearlessly persistent in its quest to escape the shadows.
The Virgin Suicides
In a fresh take on the theme of lost young women, “The Virgin Suicides” stands out as the finest in its class. This novel serves as an homage to the hardships faced under oppressive circumstances. To the Lisbon sisters, their house becomes an oppressive fortress, as restrictive and stifling as any psychiatric institution could be.
In this rephrased version, we have:
“The Virgin Suicides” is a story that encompasses madness, death, beauty, and youthful rebellion. It shares a resemblance with “Girl, Interrupted,” as they are both raw and daring in their portrayal of similar themes. While one offers a hopeful conclusion, the other does not, but both delve into the complexities of depression fearlessly.
Should you or someone else be in need of mental health assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can text HOME to 741741 for help through Crisis Text Line, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helpline at 1-800-950-6264, or explore resources on the National Institute of Mental Health website.
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2024-09-28 15:00